By Sophie Schaefer, LEAD for NC Fellow
Foothills Regional Commission
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded funding to the Town of Forest City to expand Electrical Tie Lines. This project is distinctive in nature as it marks the first time ARC has funded an electrical infrastructure project since September of 2021.
This project will have an enormous and lasting impact on the town’s infrastructure and long-term resiliency. The Town of Forest City currently owns and operates an electrical power distribution system providing electrical services for approximately 4,272 electric meters, of which: 17 are industrial customers, 941 are commercial customers, and 3,314 are residential customers. A wide variety of establishments are served by the Town of Forest City, including churches, families, grocery stores, industrial plants, gas stations, restaurants, and more. These residents and businesses rely on the town for their electrical services, making it essential for both economic prosperity and day-to-day living.
The need for this project was brought to the foreground in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused large scale damage to the community. While the storm affected every aspect of daily life, infrastructure bore the brunt of the impact. Millions of North Carolinians went without power for an extended period of time. On a local level, after the storm, only two of the Town’s ten circuits were operational. The disaster highlighted existing vulnerabilities in the electrical system, spotlighting the urgency of completing long-recommended improvements to ensure resiliency.
In 2023, the Town hired a consulting team with the task of conducting a comprehensive system evaluation and planning analysis. The report provided an overview of capital improvement projects intended to eliminate deficiencies and ensure redundancy, creating reliable power service for all users.
Three tie line projects were recommended in particular, each serving the purpose of supporting actual and planned commercial, industrial, and residential growth. The proposed tie lines would limit disruption to service in the wake of storms or other damage. The total cost for the Tie Line Expansion project is estimated to be $887,000.
Once completed, the project will bolster the town’s ability to withstand storms and power disruptions, as well as enhance overall community resilience and economic vitality. The investment also puts the town in a strong position to support future growth, as tie-line upgrades will ensure that services remain operational during disasters and can accommodate increasing demand. When selecting a place to operate, new businesses will consider town infrastructure as an important factor. In this way, the project will attract new residents and businesses.
This ARC POWER project is a prime example of how strong regional partnerships can build resilient communities through investment in critical infrastructure.
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